Oro village residents: Demolition 'unlawful'

PILES of wood, torn down structures, scattered nails, detached roofs and residents trying to cope with the situation are whats left of a community populated by members of the Valdehueza Tree Farmers Association (VTFA) in Barangay Indahag after their houses were demolished on Thursday.

Aside from the grief they felt from losing their home and property, the residents claim that the demolition was unlawful.

This settlement in lower Sumpong was raided on June 5 by police who arrested eight individuals accused of illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions, explosives, and marijuana.

One of those arrested was Maldwyn Valdehueza, the VTFA head who claimed ownership of the 97-hectare land occupied by the association.

In an earlier report, Valdehueza said that the illegal items found in their houses might have been planted to justify the driving them out of the area and giving opportunity to demolish their dwellings, which happened after they have been detained.

No court order to demolish

Rey Beja, a resident of the settlement, said there was no court order presented when the demolition team arrived in the area.

Since there was no court order, some occupants resisted the demolition team believed to be sent by another claimant identified by residents as Dr. Serina Raises-Emano.

Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro tried to get Raises-Emanos side for this story, but failed.

The houses in the settlement measured 8 by 10 feet, said Bobby Alberta, a resident there.

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Oro village residents: Demolition 'unlawful'